2024.11.07 THROW BACK THURSDAY - FROM HOG HEAVEN TO HEIGHTS HOUSES
THROW BACK THURSDAY - FROM HOG HEAVEN TO HEIGHTS HOUSES
(PART 1) PLUS CLASS NEWS
On the sweltering afternoon of September 18, 1948, 27,000 fans (the largest crowd yet to watch a football game in Arkansas) came to the dedication of War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock to watch All-American halfback and Olympic medalist Clyde Scott lead the Razorbacks to victory over Abilene Christian College. Scott would be a first-round draft pick for the Philadelphia Eagles and War Memorial would prevail as the premier stadium in Arkansas for several decades. Considering that the University of Arkansas only has one game on its 2024 schedule at War Memorial, it may be surprising to learn that the University Board of Trustees were among the strongest advocates for building the stadium. Located in the then center of State commerce and population, the large modern venue was conceived to help keep UA sports remain in competition among America’s greatest teams.
Ray Burks, a native of Monticello, Arkansas, was a cigar smoking, good-natured graduate of the architecture program at Washington University in St Louis who partnered with fellow architect Bruce Anderson to design War Memorial. They chose for the stadium design, the curves, stylized lettering and artistic reliefs of the Art Deco style which had been popularized at a 1925 exposition in Paris. From Burks’ drawing board had also come the 1937 Museum of Fine Arts, another Little Rock landmark, designed in a similar style. Burks’ preserved museum entrance is a centerpiece of the courtyard of the vastly expanded museum which opened last year.
Thanks to Jim Pfeifer
1956 CLASS NEWS
Enjoyed reading about the Harrison street property. From 1942 until 1951 I lived on R Street, one half a block from Harrison street. In those days we walked
or rode bicycles to and from Forest Park Grammar school. Fond memories. Hope all is well with you. I look forward every Thursday to getting your emails.
Best regards, Jack Dell
If he (Jim Pfeifer) thinks Little Rock is bad you should see the most gorgeous French mansion (called the Cox estate)
near the Dallas Country Club) that was just torn down and the Dallas Preservation Society could not stop it. We just
don't have the strength that the Vieux Carre has in New Orleans... you can't even repaint except with approved
colors, nor take out windows and replace with new ones. Too bad that some wonderful houses in LR are torn down.
Once again, only an opinion and that and $5.00 will get you
a cup of coffee at Starbucks!
Jan NiX (Almost typed Jan Nicks - I guess as in Stevie Nicks! Can you sing, Jan? If so, get ready to do it at
our 70th Reunion, April 24, 25, 2026!)
Thanks for the "Throw Back Thursdays". I like your humorous notes at the end. Sorry I missed the luncheon Monday. Nice group!
Enjoyed my trip to London and Scotland though.
Barbara Edwards Chastain
Joan Raines McMurray, and her husband, Richard (Bill's brother), is in the late stages of Parkinson's. Her daughter has moved
Joan and Richard to Brentwood, TN, where she lives and she checks on them every day. She will keep in touch with me. The plans
are when the time comes to have a graveside service in Alexander, AR.
Tommy Thomas is on in home hospice care. Keep Tommy and Bucky in your prayers. Tommy also has Parkinson's.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Gene Leftwich
2 Delrena Conner and Jim Norsworthy
4 Willis Callaway
5 Gary Hoffmann
6 Don Morehart
7 Bettie Franklin - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETTIE! IT'S YOUR DAY!
8 Dixon Dreher and Elaine Evans
9 Barbara “Midge” Brown and Shirley Russell
12 Linda McGrew and Nancy Meeks
14 Dan Stowers
23 Dr. Jerry Jones
25 Carol Griffenhagen
26 Dianna Vinson
28 Jane Brockman and the Wafer twins
1955 CLASS NEWS
MaryLou, thank you for the Birthday message. We are arriving in Paris early my birthday morning and will celebrate that night.
We’re also going to a Paris ex-pat election party; hope it is a party, not a wake. Our French trip is to be Seine River venture
from Paris to Normandy. This is also a roots exploration for me, my dad’s 19th century ancestors came from Normandy to
PA and WVA to mine coal. Dad, a first generation college graduate in his family, was in the WW II D-Day in Normandy. He
never talked about it.
Thank you for the newsy weekly Cabbiness that reminds us all of our Arkansas roots.
Betty Houchin Winfield
Sarah Margaret Dillaha lived across the street from me on Lafayette Street, (4815 to be exact was my address)
and Mary Lou Hosack remembers coming to several parties at my house when we were in 6th grade together at Fair
Park and told me one time that one of her sons (maybe a lawyer) lived there when he first got married and she
said, I remember this house... small world. Then I lived at Stifft Station, 221 Vernon, behind Hefley on Fountain.
And back to Sarah Margaret and she went by Sarah Margaret, not just Sarah back in the day, her family was part of
Dillaha Fruit Company.
Jan Nix ('56)
Dear Marylou, I have dined at the Crescent two times. Once with a church group from Immanuel and once with a large group
of Ouachita Baptist classmates. Both occasions were wonderful. Have you been to the Basin Hotel?
Love, Gilbert Rainey
Thanks for the update of classmates. We are well and enjoying life, one day at a time. We were recently in Little Rock to see
Donna’s sister and Bill and Margie Eidson Godfrey.
Pat Keebey
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
4 Betty Houchin
10 Byron Crain
23 Anne Bone
29 Carrollo Lochridge
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I didn't want any of you ladies to miss this latest ad:
This bra not only gives you a massage (at first I thought it said it gave you a message); it also will charge your cell phone!!
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!!!!
ML